Au-loaded mesoporous Ta2O5 (Au/m-Ta2O5) with high visible light photocatalytic activities were successfully prepared via a facile photodeposition methodology. The photocatalytic activities of Au/m-Ta2O5 were then evaluated by photocatalytic hydrogen production from a methanol aqueous solution as well as photodegradation of Rhodamine B in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm). The photocatalytic experimental results showed that Au/m-Ta2O5 exhibited enhanced visible light photocatalytic activities than those of Au-loaded commercial bulk Ta2O5 (Au/b-Ta2O5). This was mainly due to its large specific surface area and mesoporous structure. The possible visible-light-driven photocatalytic mechanism of Au/Ta2O5 was also proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.